Published: Monday, March 31, 2014 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, March 31, 2014 at 11:06 a.m.

Her mother, Wendi Neece, called it a trip Brooke will never forget thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which granted the wish and sent the family to Dollywood on March 20.

"It's hard to put into words how excited she was. It was really nice," Wendi Neece said. "I think they are a great organization. It's fantastic what they do for kids. I wish they were there to see how she responded. I wish the public was more aware of all they do. It just turned out to be a perfect experience for Brooke."

Brooke has progressive encephalopathy with oedema, hypsarrhythmia, and optic atrophy syndrome which is rare neurodegenerative disorder. She has vision loss, brain damage, epilepsy spells and is unable to communicate verbally.

Neece said music is played all the time for Brooke. The family learned that whenever they play Parton's music Brooke responds differently. They have several of Parton's CDs and concert videos. They have even watched the movie "9 to 5," in which Parton stars, numerous times.

"She gets excited and tries to sing along. She claps her hands and likes to hear (Patron) talk," Neece said.

On March 16, the foundation held a send-off party at Pizza Hut in Lexington. Family, friends, nurses, bus drivers, teachers and classmates from South Lexington Development Center attended the festivities. Walmart of Lexington also assisted with sponsoring the party, and students from East Davidson High performed a couple of songs.

"It was really nice. We had a real good time and turnout," Neece said about the crowd of close to 30 people.

Make-A-Wish grants wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, said Karen Jarvis, one of the grant wishers for the central and western North Carolina division. More information can be found at www.ncwish.org.

"We do it to bring joy, strength and hope into their lives," Jarvis said. "Looking at Brooke's face during the send-off party was priceless. That lets you know you are making a difference. Our goal is for the family to have a moment to get away from the everyday struggle."

Brooke's mother and father, Rick Neece, went with her to Tennessee on March 20. Brooke's grandparents, James and Carolyn Brooks, met them along with Brooke's cousin, Jaden Snodgrass, 11, the next day.

This was not the first time the family had traveled to Dollywood. They did a little shopping, rode go-carts and visited the arcade during their stay.

Meeting Parton is what made it special, Wendi Neece said. She noted Brooke wore a dress with butterflies on it because Parton loves butterflies. Parton hugged and talked with Brooke while also signing some autographs and taking pictures with the family.

"She was so down to earth. It turned out to be really nice," Neece said. "Brooke was happy and wild and smiled the whole time. We enjoyed it because she enjoyed it."

Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com. Follow Deneesha on Twitter: @LexDispatchDE

<p>Traveling to Pigeon Forge, Tenn., to meet Dolly Parton provided the perfect gift for 14-year-old Brooke Neece.</p><p>Her mother, Wendi Neece, called it a trip Brooke will never forget thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which granted the wish and sent the family to Dollywood on March 20. </p><p>"It's hard to put into words how excited she was. It was really nice," Wendi Neece said. "I think they are a great organization. It's fantastic what they do for kids. I wish they were there to see how she responded. I wish the public was more aware of all they do. It just turned out to be a perfect experience for Brooke."</p><p>Brooke has progressive encephalopathy with oedema, hypsarrhythmia, and optic atrophy syndrome which is rare neurodegenerative disorder. She has vision loss, brain damage, epilepsy spells and is unable to communicate verbally. </p><p>Neece said music is played all the time for Brooke. The family learned that whenever they play Parton's music Brooke responds differently. They have several of Parton's CDs and concert videos. They have even watched the movie "9 to 5," in which Parton stars, numerous times.</p><p>"She gets excited and tries to sing along. She claps her hands and likes to hear (Patron) talk," Neece said. </p><p>On March 16, the foundation held a send-off party at Pizza Hut in Lexington. Family, friends, nurses, bus drivers, teachers and classmates from South Lexington Development Center attended the festivities. Walmart of Lexington also assisted with sponsoring the party, and students from East Davidson High performed a couple of songs.</p><p>"It was really nice. We had a real good time and turnout," Neece said about the crowd of close to 30 people. </p><p>Make-A-Wish grants wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, said Karen Jarvis, one of the grant wishers for the central and western North Carolina division. More information can be found at www.ncwish.org.</p><p>"We do it to bring joy, strength and hope into their lives," Jarvis said. "Looking at Brooke's face during the send-off party was priceless. That lets you know you are making a difference. Our goal is for the family to have a moment to get away from the everyday struggle."</p><p>Brooke's mother and father, Rick Neece, went with her to Tennessee on March 20. Brooke's grandparents, James and Carolyn Brooks, met them along with Brooke's cousin, Jaden Snodgrass, 11, the next day.</p><p>This was not the first time the family had traveled to Dollywood. They did a little shopping, rode go-carts and visited the arcade during their stay. </p><p>Meeting Parton is what made it special, Wendi Neece said. She noted Brooke wore a dress with butterflies on it because Parton loves butterflies. Parton hugged and talked with Brooke while also signing some autographs and taking pictures with the family.</p><p>"She was so down to earth. It turned out to be really nice," Neece said. "Brooke was happy and wild and smiled the whole time. We enjoyed it because she enjoyed it."</p><p>Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com. Follow Deneesha on Twitter: @LexDispatchDE</p>